Stephen King, whose novels have frequently been adapted into films and television series, is set to correct a detail from one of his earliest works in the upcoming movie version of The Long Walk. The adaptation addresses a pacing error King made when writing the book over 50 years ago by adjusting the walking speed required of the contestants in the story.
The Origin of the Walking Speed and King‘s Reflection
Originally published in 1967, King‘s novel features a brutal competition where 100 young men must maintain a minimum speed of 4 miles per hour while walking nonstop. Falling below this speed for 30 seconds results in warnings, and three warnings within an hour lead to the contestants being shot by soldiers. The last survivor wins a life of wealth and luxury. However, during a recent Reddit “ask me anything” session promoting the movie, King explained his initial choice of 4 mph for the walking pace.
Asked,
“Why did you go with 4 mph in the book?”
King responded,
“At the time, I thought that was walking speed. I suggested J. T. Mollner change it to 3 mph in the movie, and they did. More realistic. In my own defense, there was no internet or chatbots or any of that shit in 1967.”
—Stephen King, Author
The Story’s Plot and Its Origin as a Pioneering Dystopian Contest
The Long Walk depicts a dystopian contest set in a bleak future. Participants must keep walking at a steady pace or face deadly consequences, creating a tense survival challenge that was unusual when King conceived the story as a freshman at the University of Maine. Despite the speed seeming high, the original 4 mph pace aligns closely with military standards for timed marches, showing King’s initial decision was not unrealistic.
King also addressed the inspiration behind the story:
“I was thinking it would be terrifying to have a contest where the losers got killed. This was a long time ago, before Hunger Games and Squid Game.”
—Stephen King, Author
The Long Walk Movie and Its Connection to Modern Survival Stories
The new film, directed by Francis Lawrence, who is known for his work on The Hunger Games franchise, portrays a similarly intense survival contest. Like King’s novel, the film follows a group of teens compelled to maintain their walking pace or risk execution by their military overseers. The cast includes Cooper Hoffman, Ben Wang, David Jonsson, Charlie Plummer, and features Mark Hamill as the merciless major in charge.
Release Date and Anticipated Impact
The Long Walk is scheduled for release on September 12, marking the first theatrical presentation of one of King’s earliest stories. This movie not only revises a decades-old detail from the original novel but also reintroduces audiences to a chilling and pioneering concept in dystopian fiction. With Francis Lawrence at the helm and strong performances from the cast, the film is positioned to resonate with fans of intense, survival-driven narratives.
